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DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING POLICY | No. 3-30c | Rev. 9-18-96 |
| Date 12-12-95 | |||
I. Purpose of Policy: The purpose of this policy is to encourage a drug free
workplace and to ensure Weber State University's compliance with U.S.
Department of Transportation regulations regarding drug and alcohol testing.
This policy applies only to individuals who serve in or are applying for
"safety sensitive" positions as defined below in section III. I.
II. References: Weber State University Policy and Procedure Manual, No. 3-30A;
U.S. Department of Transportation regulation (49 CFR, Parts 40, 382 and 395).
III. Definitions:
A. Alcohol: Alcohol is defined as the intoxicating agent in beverage
alcohol, ethyl alcohol, or other low molecular weight alcohols in methyl
and isopropyl alcohol, no matter how it is packaged or in what form the
alcohol is stored, utilized or found.
B. Applicant: For the purpose of this policy, an applicant is a person
applying for a WSU safety sensitive position.
C. Controlled Substances: Controlled substances are defined as marijuana
(THC), cocaine, phencyclidine (PCP), opiates, and amphetamines
(including methamphetamines,) or other substances determined by medical
authorities to impair one's ability to perform the duties of a safety
sensitive position.
D. Employee: For the purpose of this policy, an employee is a WSU employee
working in a safety sensitive position.
E. On-Duty: All the time the driver begins to work, is required to be in
readiness for work, until the driver is relieved from work as described
in 49 CFR par 395.2.
F. Positive Test: Any test showing a blood alcohol content equal to or
greater than the lower threshold currently designated by the Department
of Transportation, or the presence of any controlled substance in the
test subject.
G. Refusal to Submit to Testing: Failure to provide an adequate breath or
urine sample (without a valid and verified medical explanation) after
the employee has received notice that he/she is being tested and a
breath or urine sample is required; or engaging in conduct that clearly
obstructs the testing process.
H. Reasonable Suspicion: Knowledge sufficient to induce an ordinary
prudent and cautious supervisor, under the circumstances, to believe
that a prohibited activity has occurred or is occurring.
I. Safety Sensitive Position: A safety sensitive position requires an
individual to hold a commercial motor vehicle license to:
1. operate a commercial vehicle with a gross weight vehicle
rating of 26,000 pounds or higher;
2. operate a vehicle with a manufacturer's rating to transport 16
or more persons, including the driver; or
3. operate a vehicle requiring the display of hazardous material
placards.
J. University Premises: Buildings, parking lots, grounds, and vehicles
owned or leased by the university, or personal vehicles being used for
university business
IV. General Provisions
A. Employees in safety sensitive positions shall not use, be under the
influence of, or be in possession of alcohol or controlled substances,
or test positive for alcohol or a controlled substance (or metabolite
thereof) while:
1. on duty or
2. on university premises.
B. All training and information will comply with 49 CFR 382.
1. Employees will receive information to insure they understand the
following:
a. the specific types of conduct prohibited by this policy;
b. circumstances under which an employee will be tested;
c. the procedures used to test for drugs and alcohol; and
d. the consequences of a positive test result.
C. Applicants shall be denied employment at WSU under the following
conditions:
1. They refuse to take the required controlled substance test.
2. They test positive for a controlled substance (or metabolite
thereof) in the Definitions section on page 1 or their test detects
a blood alcohol content equal to or greater than the upper limit
designated by the Department of Transportation.
D. Employees in safety sensitive positions are required to participate in
controlled substance testing:
1. Before being hired and placed in a safety sensitive position.
2. Before being reassigned to a safety sensitive position.
3. After being involved in an accident (The employee will be tested
for alcohol within eight hours following the accident, and tested
for drugs within thirty-two hours.)
4. When a designated, trained supervisor determines that there is
Reasonable Suspicion to believe that an employee performing or
assigned to a safety sensitive position is using, is under the
influence of, or is in possession of alcohol or controlled
substances.
a. Two supervisors that have been trained in reasonable suspicion
determination must concur that the drug test is warranted. One
of the supervisors must be a direct line supervisor.
1) Supervisors who will determine Reasonable Suspicion will
receive training and information on alcohol and drug
abuse.
2) Supervisors' findings will be documented in writing
within twenty-four (24) hours of the determination.
5. At random, just before or just after operating a vehicle covered by
the policy. (Driving assignments may be interrupted for the
testing.)
6. After returning to a safety sensitive function following removal
due to a positive test result.
a. At least six follow up tests may be conducted during the
twelve months (1 year) following the employee's return to
work.
b. As many as thirty follow up tests may be conducted during the
sixty months (5 years) following the employee's return to
work.
E. Alcohol testing will be performed only under conditions described in IV
D3-6 above.
F. Alcohol screening will be conducted in accordance with U.S. Department
of Transportation criteria and standards.
1. If an employee's breath alcohol screening indicates a blood alcohol
content equal to or greater than the lower threshold currently
designated by the Department of Transportation, a confirmation
screening will be performed within fifteen minutes (or shortly
thereafter).
a. If the confirmation test indicates a blood alcohol content
equal to or greater than the lower threshold, WSU will remove
the employee from a safety sensitive position for at least
twenty-four hours.
1) Random follow up testing may occur for up to five years
after the employee returns to a safety sensitive
position.
2) The employee may be re-assigned to a non-safety sensitive
function.
2. If an employee's test indicates a blood alcohol content equal to or
greater than the upper threshold currently designated by the
Department of Transportation, or if an employee's test results
indicate the presence of any controlled substance (or metabolite
thereof), WSU will:
a. remove the employee from a safety sensitive function,
b. refer the employee to a substance abuse professional and
c. require the employee to follow the recommendations of the
substance abuse professional before allowing the employee to
return to a safety sensitive function.
d. Random follow up testing must be conducted for at least one
year after the employee returns to a safety sensitive
function.
e. The employee may be re-assigned to a non-safety sensitive
function.
G. Refusal to submit to alcohol or controlled substance testing shall be
construed as a positive test result.
H. Controlled substance testing, analysis, and medical review of tests will
be conducted in accordance with U.S. Department of Transportation
criteria and standards.
1. If the test results indicate the presence of prohibited drugs, WSU
will:
a. remove the employee from a safety sensitive position,
b. refer the employee to a substance abuse professional, and
c. require the employee to follow the recommendations of the
substance abuse professional before allowing the employee to
return to a safety sensitive position.
d. Random follow up testing must be conducted for at least one
year after the employee returns to a safety sensitive
position.
e. The employee may be re-assigned to a non-safety sensitive
position.
I. If the employee seeks rehabilitation treatment, the employee will do so
at his/her own expense.
1. The university encourages employees to enroll in a counseling or
rehabilitation program.
2. The employee must use accrued sick leave, compensation time, then
vacation until all leave is expended.
3. The university will pay the employee's benefit package during the
prescribed time of treatment.
4. If prescribed rehabilitation involves confinement, WSU will hold
the employee's position until the prescribed length of treatment
ends.
5. Upon successful completion of substance abuse rehabilitation, WSU
will restore the employee to his/her former position.
J. WSU may immediately terminate an employee found to be in violation of
this policy. (See WSU Policy and Procedure Manual, No. 3-33.)